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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Mari Moss, Community Advocate and Mother
2:18:05
ยท
3 min
Mari Moss, a community advocate and mother from Harlem, expresses strong support for Intro 831, which aims to address systemic failures in protecting children and families, particularly in domestic violence cases. She emphasizes the need for greater accountability, collaboration between agencies, and education to prevent child exploitation and trafficking.
- Highlights the issue of criminalizing protective mothers in domestic violence cases, leading to unjust child removals
- Calls for regular vetting of child welfare workers and closer collaboration between agencies like ACS, Child Trafficking Prevention Department, and Family Justice Center
- Stresses the importance of educating youth about their rights and available resources to create a culture of safety and awareness
Mari Moss
2:18:05
Thank you, chair Louie, chair Stevens, and chair Salam.
2:18:09
Good afternoon.
2:18:11
My name is Mari Moss.
2:18:13
I am the proud mother of 3 young Harlem girls and a community advocate for families and communities.
2:18:20
I serve on the mayor's task force to end gender and domestic based violence, the neighborhood advisory board, the community action board that gives federal funding to nonprofit organizations through DYCD, and We Love Harlem Initiative.
2:18:33
I'm here today to express my strong support for intro 831, a critical step forward to protecting children and families and addressing systemic failures within our institutions.
2:18:45
One of the most urgent issues this legislation addresses is the criminalization of parenthood, particularly motherhood, in domestic violence cases.
2:18:56
Far too often, protective mothers are penalized by various by the very systems that should support them with children being unjustly removed from their care.
2:19:06
This not only traumatizes families, but also exposes children to greater risks including exploitation and trafficking.
2:19:14
When parental rights are ignored and weaponized, the consequences are devastating.
2:19:20
Practices like parental alienation and systemic neglect allow harm to thrive.
2:19:25
We already have laws in place to safeguard survivors and their children, but these laws are not consistently or effectively enforced, leaving families vulnerable and unsupported.
2:19:37
Intro 831 is a vital step in ensuring greater accountability and collaboration.
2:19:44
Workers and child welfare must regularly be vetted to guarantee they are proper they are following proper protocols and safeguarding families.
2:19:54
Agencies such as ACS, the Child Trafficking Prevention Department, and the domestic violence units of ACS within the agency must collaborately closely work together.
2:20:08
The Family Justice Center and the End Gender and Domestic Based Violence Task Force must also work with a cross cutting agency coordination.
2:20:17
This is essential to ensure survivors are not slipping through the cracks and that families receive the support they need.
2:20:23
Additionally, education and preventative measures must be prioritized.
2:20:28
Young people need to be taught to recognize violations, understand their rights, and know what resources are available to them.
2:20:37
Through collaborative efforts, preventative programs, and community outreach, we can empower youth to protect themselves and create a culture of safety and awareness.
2:20:46
As a mother and advocate, I've seen these first these failures firsthand.
2:20:51
My experiences navigating these systems inspired me to write a letter to legislation, a call to action addressing these systemic issues.
2:20:59
Supported by leaders across all government, these initiatives align with the goals of intro 831 by advocating for reforms that protect children, empower families, and ensure justice is upheld.
2:21:11
We cannot afford to allow these systems to continue to fail our most vulnerable.
2:21:17
Intro 831 is a powerful tool in the fight to educate, train, vet, and reform these agencies.
2:21:24
Thank you.